2-21-2016

Good Morning All!!     

         Isaiah 55:8; “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”

    I was sharing lunch with a couple of investment type guys.  They were debating the various pros and cons in their strategies.  The one was a short term, in and out, kind of guy.  He looked for a stock or a commodity that was too cheap and then he would buy it and after a few days, weeks or months he would sell it.  He would try to catch them at the bottom and then ride them up a while and then sell and cash in a profit.  The second guy was more into long term deals.  He was slow to buy and even slower to sell.  While the first guy would buy and sell a dozen different trades a week the second guy might buy or sell a couple of times a month.  As thy compared, they found some interesting things.

    The guy who traded often didn’t sleep well.  He would wonder if he was right and was it time to sell or buy.  He was often frazzled by the events of the day.  Anything that occurred in the news and he was re-evaluating his different options.  The long trader watched as well but took his time in trying to understand and follow the events.  He was thinking in terms of years and not days.  His reaction to events and values could wait a day or two or even a month or two.  It was interesting to listen to their logic for their strategy and position.  Yet neither could really understand the other’s willingness to go their route.  They just agreed they were different.

    In life we often see this.  What looks like a great plan, a great life, suddenly changes.  It changes in a heartbeat.  It changes when that heartbeat falters and a stroke occurs.  It changes in a heartbeat when the next beat doesn’t come.  It changes when one says good bye and never returns.  Life changes and we often are left wondering.  We watch or listen to the news and wonder how events got to the point that they are right now.  When did my thoughts about what was right and normal suddenly become out of sync?  Many look around, scratch their head and wonder what is happening?  Where are we headed?

    When we are the most confused or bewildered is the best time to remember that God is not confused or bewildered.  God is in control.  I cannot possibly comprehend all the things that God is doing.  All I can do is look to what God has done for me in my life.  I look at how God has been faithful in all his promises to me.  I look to the blessings of yesterday and today; then I am reassured that God will be faithful tomorrow.  Because of God’s great Word, I know he is faithful.  He has not abandoned us or left us; he has always been with us and will continue to be with us to comfort us, to carry us, to give us peace and to give us hope.  God’s ways are pure and true when times seem the darkest is when we need to trust this truth the most.

Father, only you know the direction and events to unfold.  Keep me mindful of your great love and mercy.  Keep me mindful of all your blessings and of all your promises.  Let me find hope in you.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret